Welcome to Japon Undercover, my visual diary of my adventures in the country of wisdom and beauty. The Blog is an invitation for you to join me seeing through the looking glass in the world of the land of the rising sun. Feel free to zap in if you want to get inspiration and new perspectives.
Osaka, 2010
Tokyo Chat
12 months Talea was a teacher in the Chres Village Kandek School and Orphanage in Siem Riep Province. I joined her on her last day in school and captured a great team and it’s last play together.
“Teacher Talea, when are you coming back to Cambodia?”
more information on the Orphanage here http://cambodianorphanage.org/
src=”http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l6a1b99JiH1qzg2nt.jpg” /> 
100 portraits of the bright young individuals of the Siem Riep orphanage, Cambodia. Song: Max Herre- Baby Mama Rag
I met Nicolas Axelrod and “Lady Gaga” in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He is a very nice guy, she’s just adorable . Watch Nicolas 24 series on his Vimeo channel.
24Hrs - Transvestite from Nicolas Axelrod on Vimeo.
Houn Syporn knew he wanted to be lady from the age of five. He used to play with make up and creams. Her mother was worried but Syporn knew what he wanted. Now, (S)he works in one of the many hostess bars of Phnom Penh. Syporn, with her many nicknames, cares for customers, serving drinks and chatting with local expatriates and tourists. She is not shy to say she is a ladyboy; she will openly admit and make a point of it before a potential customer is interested in getting to know her. Like many of the other hostess in her business Syporn comes from an impoverished province, she works hard every night to support her family. Though the bar only pays her a minimum wage, just enough for her to cover the rent, she is able to get by with tips from customers, and lady drinks (drinks bought for ladies that cost double, a percentage of the difference is given back to the girl).
Cambodia generally understands transgender in less rigid terms than in western countries. Regardless, ladyboys in Cambodia still suffer from discrimination their work opportunities are generally limited to hair and make-up salons and hostess bars. Syporn knows this all to well, when she walks down the streets passersby will call out to her ‘oh Katoey’ (“fairy” or “queen”).
← Older Entries Page 1 of 24
